Several figures in Indian mythology are associated with virgin births, but the most prominent example is Krishna.
While Devaki, Krishna's mother, wasn't technically a virgin at the time of his conception (she was married to Vasudeva), the Puranas describe Vishnu descending into her womb, essentially implying a divine intervention that circumvented normal biological processes. Thus, Krishna's birth is often considered a virgin birth in a devotional context.
Krishna's Birth: A Detailed Explanation
- Devaki's Marriage: Devaki was married to Vasudeva.
- Kamsa's Prophecy: Kamsa, Devaki's brother, was prophesied to be killed by her eighth son.
- Imprisonment: Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva, killing their first six children.
- Vishnu's Intervention: To save Devaki's seventh and eighth children, Vishnu intervened. Balarama (seventh son) was transferred to Rohini's womb, while Vishnu himself entered Devaki's womb.
- Krishna's Birth: Krishna was born as Devaki's eighth son. While she was already married, the divine descent of Vishnu into her womb is interpreted by many as an atypical conception, similar to a virgin birth.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Mother | Devaki |
| Father | Vasudeva (Biological); Vishnu (Divine essence) |
| Circumstances | Imprisonment, divine intervention, transfer of fetus, birth as the eighth child. |
| Interpretation | Although Devaki was married, the manner of Krishna's conception lends itself to interpretations including that of a virgin birth. |
Therefore, while the concept of virgin birth might not be identical to its Abrahamic religions counterpart, the circumstances of Krishna's birth, with Vishnu's divine intervention, closely resemble the idea of a birth without conventional sexual reproduction.
